Magnetic sharpener for razor blades and the like



G. YATES April 3m 19m MAGNETIC SHARPENER FOR RAZOR BLADES AND THE LIKE Filed May 5l, 3,927 2 ShePts-Sheekl l HTTOFINEYS April 30, 1929. G. YATES 1,710,760

MAGNETIC SHARPENER FOR RAZOR BLADES AND THE LIKE Filed May 3l, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 nT'ToR/VEYS Paten-ted Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,710,750 PATENT OFFICE.

i GEORGE YATES', OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'IO PAUL GRANT.

MAGNETIC SHARPENER FOR RAZOR BLADES AND THE LIKE.

Animation' ined may 31,

My invention relates to magnetic sharpeners for razor blades or the like, more particularly the thin blades such as are commonly used in safety razors and which comprise either two oppositely disposed cutting edges or but a single cutting edge, in which the blade during the sharpening operation is disposed between the poles of a magnet with the edge or edges which are to be sharpened in close proximity thereto whereby the magnetic flux or attraction between the poles of the. magnet exerts a straightening or aligning eti'ect on the minute teeth of which each cutting edge is composed.

l l'fhave found the sharpening effect upon the razor blade is materially enhanced and is produced very rapidly under these condiy tions if an element of suitable magnetizable material, preferably soft iron, is disposed in contact with the blade when the latter is positioned between the magnet poles in such Inanner as tovery nearly span the blade from one of its cutting edges to the other, where the blade is of the double edged variety, or to eX- teud `from adjacent the cutting edge to the opposite edge of the blade when the latter em'- bodies but a single cutting edge. This element I for convenience term the keeper7 not, however, thereby necessarily intending to denote that its action is similar to that of the ordinary keeper in the form of a bar of metal which is sometimes placed between the poles of a horeshoe or otherniagnet to prevent the magnet becoming demagnetized when not in use, although the action of the keeper in the present invention I believe in some respects to be analogous thereto in so far as it may afford an easy path for the passage of the iux for at least a portion of its traverse between the magnet poles.

principal object of the present invention therefore is to provide an improved form of magnetic 'Sharpener for razor blades and the like embodying a keeper of the general character of that to which'reference has just been made disposed in operative association with the blade when positioned in the s harpener for sharpening and in which the blade, under such conditions, will be simultaneously subjected to equal magnetic attraction or flux at'all points on .its cutting edge or edgesin such ay direction as to exert a maximum straightening oraligning effect on the minute teeth of which the cutting edge ofthe blade is composed so as to return the teeth to their initial alignment substantially in the pla-ne of the blade and from which they are bent and turned over during the shaving operation.

Further objects of tlieinvention areto provide a magnetic razor blade Sharpener of neat and attractive appearance, which is of convenient'size, entirely self contained when the blade is disposed therein for the sharpening operation, not liable to get out of order or be damaged under the conditions of use to which articles of this general character are ordinarily subjected, which may be satisfac toi-ily used by unskilled persons for sharpening blades and which may be readily adapted by the user for the Sharpening of different forms of commercial blades of eithersingle or double edged type. v

My invention further includes pther objects and novel features of design, construction and arrangement hereinafter more particularly set forth or which will be apparent from the following description of certain embodi- Iments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In accordance wtih the present invention 'the soft iron keeper which is disposed in contact with nthe blade during the sharpening operation may be either applied to the blade when the latter is placed on the blade holder prepara-tory to insertion in the Sharpener, in which case the keeper may be in the form of aplate of suitable size and configuration to Abe laid on the surface of the blade after the latter is placed on the holder and preparatory to the holder, blade and keeper being insertd as a unit into the Sharpener casing, or the keeper may be permanently arranged within the casing of the Sharpener in such manner that when the blade is inserted therein in the holder the keeper will come into proper registry with the blade for the performance of its intended function.A Consequently, to enable those skilled in the art to comprehend and practice the invention I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will nonT proceed t6 describe one .embodiment of the invention in which the keeper is removable from and replaceable in the casing with the blade holder as well as another'embodiment of the invention in which the ,keeper is permanently disposed in the casing.

The first. of these embodiments is more particularly illustrated in Figs. 1-to 7 inclusive and 12 to 16 inclusive, and the latter in Figs. Sto 1l inclusive. More specifically, Fig. 1 is a view, principally in central vertical lonmagnet lying between the plane of the section and the observer being shown, however,

f in elevation, and Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2 2 in Fig. 1 looking in the direction of t-he arrows and also showing in elevation a small portion of the easing between the plane of the section and the observer. In both of these views the blade holder is shown in operative position with a single double edged blade disposed thereon. Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of the casing cover removed from the body of the casing; Fig. 4 isa fragmentary.

view in central section of the upper end of the Sharpener before the cover is assembled thereon and showing the position occupied by certain of the parts when the blade holder is removed and Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical section on line-5 5 in Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the form of blade holder shown in the preceding figures but removed from the casing, a double edged razor blade of well known type being shown in position thereon as well as the removable keeper, a corner of the latter being broken away so as to better show the blade and the relative position which the keeper occupies with respect thereto when in operative association therewith, while Fig. 7 is a horizontal section substantially on line 7 7 in Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse vertical section on line 8 8 of Fig. 9, of a form of the invention .in which the keeper is permanently disposed in the casing and showing its relative position with respect to a double edged razor blade such as shown in Fig. 6 when positioned in the sharpener for sharpening and Fig. 9 is a fragmentary central longitudinal section on line 9 9 of Fig. 8 looking in the direction of the arrows but on ya reduced scale. Fig. 10 is a view' similar to Fig. 8 but showing another form of blade and blade holder in operative position inthe sharpener and Fig. 11 is a similar view but showing still another form of blade and holder. In Figs. 12 to 1G I have shown other forms of blade holders and removable keepers adapted for blades of types other than that shown in Fig. G. Thus, Fig. 12 is a. top plan View of one of said holders showing the blade in position thereon and the keeper in position on the blade as in Fig. 6; Fig. 13 is an end View thereof and Fig. 14 a transverse section on line 14-14 in Fig. 12; Fig. 15 shows still another form of blade holder and removable keeper while Fig. 16 is a transverse section thereof on line 1G 1G. The same symbols are used to designate'corresponding parts in the several Hgures.

Generally speaking, in attaining the objects of my invention I utilize a `magnet housed within a casing desirably formed of: non-magnetic material and provided with an opening or slot through which means adapted for supporting the blade to besharpened may be inserted and withdrawn together with means, also disposed within the casing, operative to maintain the blade holding means in proper position in the casing whereby the blade when inserted is supported between and closely adjacent the free ends or poles of the magnet with its cutting edge or edges substantially parallel and very close to the side faces thereof, the keeper of soft iron to which I have hitherto referred being so arranged with respect to the blade when in operative position as just described that it overlies the latter substantially throughout its entire extent save adjacent its cutting edge or edges which are preferably exposed beyond the adjacent portions of the keeper, contact between the keeper and the blade being maintained either throughout the extent of the keeper or else merely adjacent the edges of theblade and preferably in lines parallel thereto as will hereinafter more fully appear.

More specifically, and referring now particularly to that form of the invention in which the keeper is removable with the blade holder, the Sharpener may comprise a hollow substantially rectangular casing having a bottom 1, sides 2, 8, top 4c and front end 5 and rear end G desirably formed of non-magnetic material such as bakelite or the like. lVhen made of such material the casing, except for,

the end 6, may conveniently be molded as an integral unit, and the end 6 formed separately and secured to the body of the casing when the parts are assembled, the end thus forming a cover for the open end of the body. While the end or cover may be secured to the body in any suitable way I prefer for this purpose to provide a plurality of headed pins 7 of brass or other suitable material and to mold theminto the body at suitable points when the latter is formed so that the ends of the pins will project adjacent the open end thereof as best shown in Fig. 4. The cover 6 is also provided with holes 8 disposed to register with the pins when the cover is in position so that in the process of assembly the ends of the pins, which may be made hollow as at T, may be expanded in the outer ends of the holes, which are conveniently slightly counterbored for this purpose, so as to hold the cover securely in position and prevent its ready removal. I prefer to curve or round the outer face of the top 4 slightly in opposite directions from the. center toward the sides, thus preventing the user from standing the Sharpener upside .down and thereby bringing the magnet poles into proximity to a metal shelf or the like.

i IVithin thecasing is a preferably U-shaped magnet generally designated as 10 and having parallel sides 11,12'terminating in ends or'poles-ll, 12 adjacent the inner face of posed lugs 13 against which the adjacent endof the magnet is arranged to abut; the inner' t face of the cover 6 may alsov be provided with substantial-ly similar lugs 14 disposed to bear against the adjacent end of the magnet whenA the cover is in position'so that the magnet is firmly held against relative movement with respect to the casing.

Near the upper extremity of the front end wall 5 of the casing is provided atransversely extendin slot' 16 through which the blade holder, bla e and keeper may be inserted or withdrawn from the casing in the operation of the device as hereinafter described, and

means are also provided for keeping the holder in place when so inserted.

The blade holder proper necessarily varies somewhat in design and arrangement in conformity with the particular type of blade with which it is designed for use, and I shall thereforefirst refer more particularly to the form of holder shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6 t and which is lintended to support. oneor more thin razor blades B having opposed parallel cutting edges E-E and a pair of longitudi- A nally spaced centering holes H, such, for ex- 35 ample, as blades intended for usewith the well known Gillette razor. Whendesigned l for supporting such a blade, the blade holder, which 1s desirably. formed of'non-magnetic metal, may comprise a flat body 20`preferably lvery slightlywider and somewhat longer than the blade with its end turned up at lright angles to form a lip 21. Preferably the end of thebody opposite the lip 21 may v be cutaway in sem-circular form as at 23 so that when the blade is disposed on the holder one end thereof will overhang the` cut out "ortion to enable theblade' to he convenient y lifted off the holder by inserting the finger beneath the goverhanging end of the former, while for centering thev blade on the holder the latter'may also be provided with ppsts 24, 24 suitably s aced to enter the holes struck up from the vody of I between them when pushed' into the casing.

and position the lade with its cutting ed es E-E parallel to the edges' of the holder;I convenientl these osts may be vtlie holder during the process of its manufacture. si

lT-'he width of the holder is very slightly lessvthan o r substantiall equal to the dis` tance between'the innerv aces ofthe magnet poles,l 1 1', I2 so that the holder' will slide 1 throu h the o ni 16 with'the li 21 at the g Pe 5l P rear, -while the wid of the ma et is .preferably1 such` that when the ho der is fully hooking the thumb or finger nail over the lip and pulling outwardly thereon.

F or supporting the holder when inserted in the casing a shelf 30, preferably of nonmagnetic material such as brass or the like, may be disposed horizontally within the casing toextend between the arms of the magnet a little below the plane of the bottom of the 'holder and rovided with a spring tongue 31 having' its ree end directed toward the cover 6 and arranged to bear on the bottom of the holder and frictionally engage the latter with a yielding pressure tending to urge the holder upwardly and also sufficient to prevent the holder from accidentally sliding out of th'e casing if the Sharpener be turned to a position in which the holder` would tend so to do. While the shelf may be supported in the casing in any suitable way I preferfto provide the inner face of the casing end 5 with al transversely extending groove 32 adapted toV receive the adjacentend of the shelf and to provide the latter adjacent its opposite end with laterally directed ears 33 which register with grooves 34 in the sides of the casing and also with grooves 34 in the lugs 14, thus firmly holding the shelf in positlon. i

The keeper 35 comprises a flat rectangular width is,y preferably slightly less than that of the blade so that when symmetrically disposed on the latter the lateral edges of the blade will project slightly beyond the corresponding edges of the keeper as best shown in Fig. 6 while the thickness of the keeper is such that .when the blade is laid on the holder and the keeper than laid upon the blade, the upper surface of the keeper will lie slightly above or substantially: flush with the upper endsl of the osts 24 and the total height from the under ace of the holder to the upper face or surface of the keeper will not prevent A the holder, blade and keeper asa unit from being entered into the sloty 16 and pushed homeuntil the leading end' of the holder contacts with the inner face of the cover 6 as best shown in Fig. 1, the keeper being provided with suitably disposed apertures 36 'for the reception of the posts Q4 and cooperative therewith to .properly position the keeper on the holder. It will thus be apparent that when the holder, carrying the blade and the keeper, is inserted in the casing as just described the spring tongue 31 pressing on the bottom of the holder will force it upwardly thereby ybringing the upper face of the keeper into contactwith'the under face of the top 4 and also maintaining the blade in contact with the under surface of the keeper. If as shown the vertical height of the slot 1G be slightly greater than the combined height of the holder, a single blade and the keeper, two or more blades may bev 4 interposed between the holder and keeper at assembled during the course of manufacture by first sliding the magnet into the casing through the open end thereof, then sliding f the shelf into position between the arms of the magnet and engagingjits forward end f and side portions of its ears 33 in the grooves respectively vprovided in the casing for their reception, and finally placing the cover G in position over the holding studs or pins and then ex anding the ends of the latter into the counterlboredl holes in the cover so as to se# cure it firmly in place and prevent it from being readily removed by the user since it is unnecessary for the latter to ever obtain access to the interior of the Sharpener; VObviously. however, such aceesscan be obtained if required for repairs or the like by use of a suitable tool to straighten out the upset ends of the pins which hold the cover in place and thereby permit its removal.

In the operation of the sharpener the blade ,y .c or blades which are tobe sharpened are simply laid on the holder with the holes H in registry with the posts Q4 andthe keeper 35 then laid on the upper face of the blade with the holes 36 similarlyin registry with the posts. The holder, blade and keeper are then slid endwise Iinto the casing through the opening or/slot 16, thus bringing'the edges of the. blade/into close proximity with the inner faces of the poles of the magnets and the blade and keeper directly into the path of the magnetic flux flowing therebetween.

When in this position the entire length of each cutting .edge of the blade is subjected to substantially the same magnetic iniuence and as a relatively large and powerful magnet may be employed without making the Sharpener too bulky or heavy for convenient use and as the blade is disposed in a position to receive substantially the maximum magnetic attraction or. pull which the magnet is aligned or initial position in substantial parallelism with the general plane of the blade and the cutting edges of the latter thus restored to their initially sharp condition. After the blade has been sharpened it may be readily removed from the Sharpener by hooking the finger or thumb nail over the lip Q1 of the holder and pulling outwardly on the latter so as to remove the holder, blade and keeper from 'the easing and allow the blade and keeper to be lifted off the holder. While, as noted, provision may be made to enable two or more blades to be sharpened at once, ordinarily but a single4 blade is sharpened at a time. i

It is to be understood that a Sharpener constructed as herei'nbefore described may be readily used for sharpening blades of other types than that shown in Fig. 6 by merely employing a different form of blade holder and keeper designed foi` use therewith. Thus, for example, a holder and keeper such as shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 may be used kfor sharpening a blade B of the type shown invthese iguresand in Fig. 10 and which is in extensive use. This blade comprises a single cutting edge E', a rear noncutt`ing edge Xand notches N in its ends and the holder may therefore be provided with up-` turned lugs 40 conveniently struck from the o body thereof in the course of manufacture and adapted to register with said notches and center the blade with its edge E closely adjacent one of the side edges of the holder;

the holder may also be provided with a lip 21 substantially as already described and cut away at 23 beneath the edge E instead of at one end. Similarly, the keeper 35 designed for employment with this type of blade may beprovided with notches 36 at its ends cooperative with the lugs 40 to position the keeper on the holder, and as it is desirable that the side edges of the keeper approach quite the same distance from the adjacent magnet pole as the cutting edge E of theblade from its adjacent pole so "that substantially the same air gap will be left on'eaeh side of the blade and keeper, considered as a unlt, when A operatively positioned between the magnet f thermore` I prefer in order to adapt thef poles.

In Figs. 15 and 16 I have shown still another form of holder designed t'o support another type of blade B which has a single cutting edge E `and a reinforcement R lapped or folded over its opposite edge X.- In this case. the holder may be cut out as at- 41 to snugly receive one side of the reinforcement and thus permit the blade to lie flat againstI the holderl while the keeper 35 may be cut out. as at 49. to snugly receive the opposite side of the reinforcement; under such conditions it is therefore unnecessary to provide any posts, lugs or other means to hold the keeper in proper relation with the blade and the holder as the reinforcing piece R by its engagement in the cut-outs 41, 42 is sulficient for that purpose. As in thecase of the keeper shown in Fig. 12 the width of keeper 35 is preferably so calculated that when in position on the blade the cutting edge E thereof will be disposed substantially beneath the adjacent edge of the keeper while the opposite edge of the latter will be spaced from the adjacent edge of the holder for a substantially similar distance as the cutting edge E is spaced from that edgeof the holder nearest to it.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive. the keeper, as heretofore stated. instead of being removable from the casing with the holder is permanently7 disposed within the casing in such manner that it will not interfere with the insertion kor .withdrawal of the holder with the blade disposed thereon but will. nevertheless. contact with the blade in lines parallel to and adjacent the side edges thereof when the blade is in the casing in sharpening posit-ion and thus span the central portion of the blade. Fursharpenerfor use with different forms or types of blades to so construct and arrange the various parts as to accomplish this result, and to this end therefore I may support the keeper so ,it is capable of assuming different positions within the casing in accordance with the particular1 configuration and form of the blade which may be inserted therein as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Thus, referringto Figs. and 9. I may prol vide a keeper or magnetizabie-element gener- /ally designated 49 and having laterally spaced feet or legs 50 exten-ding longitudinall v for a distance substantially equal to the space between the inner faces of the front wall 5 and cover 6 of the casing connected by a transversely arcuate web 51. the, maximum width of the keeper 49 being substantially equal to that of the keeper 35 designed for use with a well known form of commercial double edged blade. Ajkeeper of this form may be readily manufactured by a stamping operation from a ila-t strip of suitable matesuspended in a recess 52 formed in the top of the casing when the latter is molded, vertical support being afforded to the keeper by lugs 53 and 54 respectively disposed at the front end of the recess and on the inner face of the collar and projecting oppositely inward, the surfaces of these lugs being preferably symmetrically curved in opposite'directions; desirably the lugs are integral with the casing and cover. To enable the keeper when suspended on the lugs to oscillate slightly from side to side on the liigsso as to raise or lower the feet 50, the size of the recess is preferably so proportioned that there is a slight clearance between the upper surface of the keeper at its center and the under face of the top of the casing and also between the side walls of the casing and adjacent surfaces of the keeper.

In this form of the inventidn a blade holder of the type shown Vin Fig. 6 may be employed with a double edged blade. the latter preparatory to sharpening being simplylaid on the holder when the latter is withdrawn from the casing. The holder, carrying the blade, is then pushed into the casing through the slot 16 thus entering the blade beneath the feet of the keeper and bringing the latter into contact with the blade adjacent its cutting edges. If the spring tongue 31 exerts e a considerable upward pressure on the holder as t-he latter is pushed home, the keeper may Y be lifted slightly off its supporting lugs until brought into contact with the under surface of the top. but in practice it is immaterial its supported lugs in opposition to the upward thrust of the resilient tongue on the holder for in either case the desired Contact between the feet of the keeper and the blade adjacent the lateral edges of the latter is preserved so long as the blade remains in the casing in sharpening position.

In like manner. a holder of the form of that shown in Fig. 12 may be employed in this form of the invention for holding a blade of the type illustrated in that figure, the blade being merely placed on the holder and inserted in the casing in the manner just described. However, since blades of this' type are ordinarily somewhat narrower than the standard double edged blades shown in f`Fi'g. 6. the non-cutting edge X of the bladel 10. `As a blade of this type is perfectly flat both feet of the keeper will rest squarely on the upper surface of the blade as in the case ofthe Hat double edged blade. However, when a blade of the type shown in Figs. 15 and 16 and having a reinforced rear edge is inserted in the casing of this form of the invention by means of a blade holder such as shown in said figures, the keeper will rise slightly at one side as the reinforcement Renters beneath the adjacent foot of the keeper while the opposite foot rests againstthe blade adjacent its cutting edge thereby bringing the keeper substantially; to the position shown in Fig. ll; thus the requisite contact between the feet of the keeper and the blade is preserved as in the case of the otheryforms of blades to which reference has previouslyT been made. Of course as soon as the blade and holder are withdrawn the keeper will resume its normal position on the lugs. Y

As hitherto stated, the employment of the magnetizable element or keeper in association with a blade during the sharpening process results in the production of a keen edge within a very short space of time. It is thought that this is probably d ue to a greater concentration adjacent the side edges of the blade of the magnetic iux as it passes from one of the poles of the magnet to the other when the keeper is employed but whether this be the true explanation or not, numerous tests have clearly demonstrated the eminently satisfactory results attained bythe use of the keeper both as regards keenness of edge produced and rapidity lof operation.

It will of course be understood that while I' have referred to several different forms of holders respectively adapted for use with certain well known forms of commercial razor blades, still other forms of blade holders may be employed if desired to conveniently enable the sharpening of still other types of blades and the like.

Moreover, while I have herein illustrated and described certain forms of my invention with considerable particular-ity I do not desire or intend to limit myself to any precise details of design, construction and arrangement of the various partsas the same are capable of considerable modification in nnmerous particulars without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing. a magnet housed within the casing` a blade holder insertable and withdrawable from the Casing and adapted to support a razor blade therein, means disposed within the casing adapted to support the holder between the poles of a magnet and a body of magnetizable material adapted to contactwith and extend partially across the blade when disposed in the casing.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, a magnet housed within the casing, a blade holder 'insertable and Withdrawable from the casing and adapted to support a razor blade therein, means disposed within the casing adapted to support the holder between the poles of a magnet and an element formed of magnetizable material of less width than said holder adapted to contact with the blade when the latter is disposed thereon and inserted -in the casing.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing` a magnet housed within the casing, a blade holder insertable and witlidrawable from the casing and adapted to support` a razor blade therein` means disposed within the casing adapted to support the holder between the poles of a magnet and an element formed of soft iron adapted to lie therebetween but out of contact with the poles of the magnet and in contact with ,said blade when the latter is disposed in the casing.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, a magnet housed wit-hin the casing. a blade holder insertable and withdrawable from the casing and adapted to support a razorblade therein, means disposed within the casing adapted to sup'- port the holder between the poles of a magnet and an element formed of soft iron substantially equal in length to the blade but of less width thanthe space between the poles of the magnet and adapted to lie between. said poles and in contact with said blade when` the latter is disposed in the casing.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a casing of non-magnetic material, a U-shaped magnet housed within the casing, a blade holder provided' with blade positioning means insertable and withdrawable through the wall of the casing, means including a resilient member disposed within the casing and adapted to support the holder between the .ends of the magnet with a'n edge of the blade extending parallel to the sides thereof` and an elementiof magnetizable material of less width than said holder and of substantially the length of the blade adapted to contact with and partially span the face of the blade when the latter is disposed in the casing.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a casing of non-magnetic material, a U-shaped magnet housed within the casing, a blade holder provided with blade positioning means insertable and withdrawable through the wall of the casing. means including a. resilient member disposed within the casing and adapted to support the holder between the ends of the magnet with an edge ofthe blade extending parallel to the sides thereof, and an element of magnetizable material of lless width than said holder of substantially the length of the blade and having parallel side edges adapted to contact with and partially span the face of the blade 7. Ina magnetic razor blade sharpener,

the combination of a magnet having spaced poles, means for positioning a blade between said poles with a cutting edge thereof extending parallel to the adjacent side face of the magnet but out of contact therewith and an element of magnetizable material of less widthjthan the space between the poles adapted to rest on and partially span the blade when positioned between said poles.

8. In a magnetic razor blade Sharpener, the combination of a U-shaped magnet, a blade holder formed of non-magnetizable material adapted to support a blade, means for supporting said holder between the poles of said magnet 1 with an edge o a blade disposed thereon extending parallel to the side face ot the magnet but out of contact therewith, and an element formed of magnetizable material and of less width than said holder adapted to rest on and partially span said blade/with one of its lateral edges inwardly spaced from but lying adjacent to a cutting edge of the blade.

9. In a device of the class described, a easing of non-magnetizable material provided with an opening, a U-shaped magnet housed within thel casing with its poles disposed on opposite sides of said opening, a blade-holder insertable and withdrawable through said opening and provided with blade positioning means. means including a resilient element operative to retainsaid blade holder in the casing when inserted through said opening in a position to support a blade disposed on the holder between the poles of the magnet with its side edges adjacent but out ot contact with said poles, and an element ot magnetizable material of less width than the space between said poles operative ,to rest above said blade within the casing between said poles and to partially span and contact with said blade. l

10. A magnetic razor Sharpener comprising a casing, a magnet housed within the casing and having spaced poles, a blade holder insertable and withdrawable through the wall of the casing and adapted when so inserted vto lie between the poles of the magnet, said holder being provided with blade positioning means, andan element of magnetizable material of less width than said holder adapted to rest on a blade when positioned on the holder and cooperative with said positioning means to maintain a predetermined relation with respect to the blade and holder.

ll. A magnetic razor sharpener comprising a casing, a magnet housed within the casing and having spaced poles, a blade holder formed et non-magnetizable material insertable through a wall ot' the easing to occupy a position'between said poles and provided with blade positioning means operative to hold a blade in predetermined position on the holder, and a plate ot magnetizablc inaterial adapted to rest on a blade when positioned on the holder and maintain a prededetermined relation with respect thereto b v cooperation with said' blade positioning means.

1Q. A magnetic razor sharpener comprising a casing, a magnet housed within the easing and having spaced poles, a blade holder formed of non-magnetizable material insertable through a wall of the casing to occupy a position between said poles and provided withV means operative to retain a blade on the holder in predetermined position with respect thereto. and a generally rectangular plate ot magnetizable material having means cooperative with said positioning means to removably hold the plate in predetermined position on the holder` said plate being adapted to overlie and partially span a blade when positioned on the holder with an edge of the plate adjacent but inwardly spaced from a cutting edge of the blade.

13. In a device ot the class' described, the combination of a casing. a magnet housed within the casing, a blade holder insertable into and withdrawable from the casing, and adapted to support a razor blade therein, and a body of magnetizable material adapted to contact with and extend partially across the blade whendisposed in the casing.

l-t. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, a magnet housed within the casing, a blade holder insertable into and withdrawable from the casing and adapted to support a razor blade therein` and an element formed ot magnetizable material 'of less width than said holder, adapted to contact with the blade when the latter is disposed therein and inserted in the casing.

In witness whereof` I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day ot May, 1927.

GEORGE YATES. 

